11 Surprising Uses for Eggshells (Slideshow)

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Most of the time, eggshells end up in the trash or compost, and that’s certainly reasonable. After all, how could something so delicate be useful? Well, you’d be surprised! From amazing food creations to amazingly bright whites, click through to check out some fantastic ways to use eggshells.

1. Prevent Drain Clogs. Some crushed eggshells are a great way to prevent clogs. Keep some in the drain strainer — as they eventually break up they’ll naturally clean the pipes. They’ll also help prevent solids from making their way down there in the first place!

2. Clean the Garbage Disposal. By the same token, eggshells will help get rid of grease and food buildup in your garbage disposal. Run some through to clean it up.

3. Use as a DIY Scouring Powder. Put some crushed eggshells on a stained surface along with some dish soap, and clean it up with a sponge. If you’re cleaning something with a (secure!) lid, you can add some crushed eggshells and fill it almost to the top with cold water. Shake, shake, shake and marvel at the results!

4. Whiten Clothes. Hate the way your whites turn gray? Toss some eggshells in a cheesecloth bag in the washer along with your whites.

missed the #1 use! Add them to birdfeeders in the late winter and spring! - due to pesticide use songbird eggs are thinner and thinner. The mama bird will actually leach calcium from her own bones to create the eggs. Songbirds need the extra calcium during egg-laying season.
I do not eat a lot of eggs, so I wash, dry and crush all my shells into jars and distribute to my bird-feeding friends.